Previous Next

The other day I was having awful problems trying to read the Captain America instruction sheet - I couldn't understand a single word. Then a friend pointed out that I had been reading it in German, and that the English instructions were overleaf. Luckily we both saw the funny side.

Anyway, it seems that Dr Megalomann, an 'evil' genius, is threatening to release a lethal genetic virus (Jeremy Beadle?) over the good ole U.S. of A. The launching site for the virus carrying missiles is an underground silo in the Mojave Desert. This is the 'Doom-Tube' and where the action of the game takes place. You, as Captain 'Cap' America, have to (and I quote): "Save the free world...God save America!" Bleeeeeuuuuucch!!!

The game is controlled from a screen called the 'Orbivator'. It's a sort of lift (sorry, elevator) which will move you around the 'Doom-Tube' by pressing the relevant buttons (you control Cap's hand). There's also a monitor screen which, again by button pressing, will give you little hints and tips. You're totally safe in here, but there's a clock ticking away.

The Doom-Tube is five stories high (or deep, really), and the air gets progressively more toxic the further down you go. You have a preset immunity level, which is enough to get you around deck one, but you need to get a bonus immunity before you can go to the deeper, more toxic levels. I can only tell you about level one, 'cos I couldn't get any further.

There are four rooms, viewed from slightly above, in which your Cap sprite has to kill nasties by throwing his shield at them (it bounces back, so you can use it again and again). Clear one room and move to the next. There are things to pick up and places to put them (for bonus immunity). Ultimately, work your way down to the fourth room on deck five (the basement) and abort the missile's countdown.

Simple as that. Except it isn't. It's really hard. Okay, the graphics aren't going to win any awards, but they're a nice size and very clear. Ditto the sound. Blimey.

P.S. On the B side of the tape Go! have enclosed a 'freebie': A mono recording of an insipid American West-Coasty 'Mild Metal' "rock" song by a band called "Resister". It sounds like a poor quality eight track demo-tape. I'm glad I'm not a member of 'Resister'. It would be almost as embarrassing as waking up one morning and realising that one was actually Sid Little. Graaaaaaaarrrrrgghhhh!!!!!

Jolly little explore 'n' shoot game that hasn't got an awful lot to do with Capt. America but is fun all the same. Unlike the soundtrack.